The committee chairman is proposing reform of the Police Abuse Act to extend deadlines and resources to expedite resolutions to avoid further harming victims. In total, they recognized 66 people as victims, most of whom were the result of torture.
The committee responsible for assessing applications to be recognized as victims of human rights violations has requested this changes to the Basque law on police abuse, especially regarding deadlines, available resources and compensation. Moreover, they have warned that if these reforms are not implemented, their workIs in danger“.
This request was conveyed this Monday by the chairman of the committee, Juana Balmasedaand by the co-spokesman of this body, Jon Landato the groups of the Basque Parliament in a committee appearance in which they presented their third report, which includes the petitions examined between July 2022 and June 2023.
Through this document they are recognized as victims of human rights violations. between 1978 and 1999 to 66 peopleincluding José Ignacio Zabala, a member of ETA who was abducted, tortured and murdered by the GAL, together with another member of the armed organization José Antonio Lasa, whose case has not yet been heard because it was brought up too late .
Of the 66 victims, in addition to Zabala, “kidnapped, forcibly disappeared and tortured”, there are 49 people who suffered abuse or torture in police stations; 7 killed by police bullets and far-right groups; one more died because of the mistreatment of an extreme right-wing group after rape; four members bullet wounds and another was injured with rubber balls.
In addition, three other victims were seriously injured as a result of kicks or other blows.
Balmaseda and Landa presented the results reflected herein third report and they are placed on the table suggestions to improve and streamline your work after verifying that the rate of resolution is “slow” according to the prediction, in addition to the fact that the work volume continues to increase.
Landa explained that this is possible extend until 2030, with the resulting damage to the victims. To expedite this, he has demanded reform of the law known as the Police Abuse Act, which created the commission, extending deadlines and resources.
“More resources are needed so that there are no delays because the committee is unable to process all requests in a timely manner. There is a problem of effectiveness as the law is configured. The deadlines could cause a problem with the rhythm of “Without legal reforms and without adequate resources, our work could be at risk,” Landa warned.
This reform should also consider an upward revision of compensation to victims, not only in terms of the amount but also in cases that may be compensable, such as torture and ill-treatment.
Compensate victims of torture
To this end, the committee requires the revision of Article 9 of the standardwhich states that “serious assaults and injuries of a non-permanent nature will not give rise to financial compensation, without prejudice to reporting as a victim for the other purposes provided for by law.”
The committee has also requested that its reports be published in both paper and digital format so that they reach the largest number of institutions and agents of all kinds to avoid “hiding the reality of these victims.” Next to an institutional recognition law For this group, she also proposed organizing an international seminar to publicize the existence of this committee and its working method.
Finally, Balmaseda told the committee that it is necessary to continue supporting its work in a pre-electoral period such as the current one.
Group support
From within the groups, all who intervened expressed their support for the work of the committee and committed to examining its proposals.
Inigo Iturrate (PNV) has supported his “serious and profound” work, while the Socialist Watch Gallastegui has praised his “independence and rigour”.
EH Bildu’s parliamentarian Julen Arzuaga has recognized that the next term will have to implement the required legal reforms. For his part, Inigo Martinez (Elkarrekin Podemos-IU) agrees on the need to provide more resources to the commission.
Source: EITB
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
